Struggling to answer someone's questions about your faith, Pastor Greg Laurie recommends a great book to help. You know, I remember the first time that I shared my faith. I was so young, and I was challenged by an atheist. I did not have a clue as to what I should say. And I wish I'd had a copy of this book by Frank Turek and Norman Geisler, and the title of it is "I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist." And we want to send you this book for your gift of any size, available at.
Harvest. dot org. God is able to meet whatever comes your way because God is able. Our circumstances may look difficult or even impossible. Pastor Greg Laurie says, "Remember who we're praying to.
Nothing is too hard for the Lord. God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly beyond that which you could ask or think." So, when you pray for something, why do you think God always wants to give you less? He can do more than you think he can do. Don't limit him with your unbelief. Our God can calm storms, create storms, part the waters of the Red Sea.
He can make time literally stand still. He can raise the dead and cause the deaf to hear.
So, what is it that you need today? Glad you're along for a new beginning, as Pastor Greg Laurie helps us see nothing is impossible for the Lord, and he invites us to come to Him in prayer. He bids us to ask, seek, and knock, and when our petitions intersect with His willingness, big things can happen. This miracle that we're going to look at. Is the only miracle found in all four Gospels?
It's a story of the feeding of the five thousand.
Now, this is a series we're doing called the Seven Signs of Jesus. We've already looked at Jesus turning water into wine. That was sign number one. Cleansing the temple, sign number two; healing the centurion's son, that's number three; healing the lame man in Jerusalem, that's number four.
Now we're at number five: the feeding of the five thousand, John chapter six, starting at verse one. After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee. Also known as the Sea of Tiberius, a huge crowd kept following him wherever he went because they saw the miraculous signs as he healed the sick. Then Jesus climbed a hill, sat down with his disciples around him. It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.
Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him, and turning to Philip, he asked, "Where can we buy bread to feed all of these people?" Verse six. This is very important. You might underline it. He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do. Philip replied, "Even if we worked for months, we wouldn't have enough money to feed them." Then Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke, "Well, there's a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish.
But what good is that with such a huge crowd?" Jesus said, "Tell everyone to sit down." They all sat down on the grassy slopes. The men alone numbered about five thousand. Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterwards, he did the same with the fish, and they all ate as much as they wanted. After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, "Now gather the leftovers, so nothing is wasted." So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.
When the people saw this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, "Surely he is a prophet we've been expecting." We'll stop there. Here is all these adults. Perplexed by this problem, and here's a little kid that says, "Well, I've I've got this. If this could be of any help, I'd like to offer it to you, Jesus." So, what do we know about this little boy? We know he was poor, and the reason we know that is barley bread was the cheapest of all bread, and in fact, it was held in contempt.
It was thought of as food for animals, not people. And he had two small fish, not big fish. Small fish. It's like having crackers and stale crackers at that. Crackers and sardines.
It wasn't a gourmet lunch. It wasn't a lot. But that little boy gave his lunch as poor as he was to Jesus. The lunch was as insignificant as it could be. The little boy was as insignificant as he could be, but here is the point of the story: that which was insufficient and insignificant became sufficient and significant when placed in the hands of Jesus.
So you say, Lord, okay, here I am. I don't have a lot to offer, but I do give it to you, and I give it all to you, and I ask you. To take what I've given and use it for your glory.
So I encourage you: bring your loaves and fish to Jesus. Bring your crackers and sardines and watch what God will do.
Now, without question, this became the most popular miracle of Jesus. It's sort of like the people would say, "Hey, water into wine—that's good. Restoration of sight—all these things—they're all good, but." Free lunch?
Now we're talking. In fact, we like this so much, we want to make you our king. Understand? The Jewish people are under the control of the Romans. They believe Jesus is a militant Messiah, a political savior, someone that's going to deliver them from the power and tyranny of Rome.
So they said, "We want you to be our king." Right now, look at John six verse fourteen. When the people saw Jesus do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, "He is a prophet we've been expecting." And when Jesus saw they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself. Forced him to be their king. The whole idea is laughable. See, these people wanted to use God.
Instead of being used by God, they wanted God to do what they wanted Him to do. Listen, God wants to use us, but having said that, He will never be used. What are some takeaway truths from this story? Number one, there will come times in our lives, and we are utterly overwhelmed. By our problems, by our challenges, and by our hardships, we will not have the abilities or the resources to respond.
Things that are beyond your control, tests that will come to you in life. These tests are given to determine if you're learning anything as a Christian. Why does God allow us to be tested? James gives us the answer. When he says, "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
For you know, when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
So let it grow. For when your endurance is fully developed, you'll be perfect and complete, needing nothing." As I've said before, trials and tests in the life of the Christian are like God's gym. You're broken down to be built up.
So when you go to a gym and you lift weights and you do repetitions, and then you get stronger, and then you lift more weight, and then you, in time, lift even more weight, you're building your muscle up by first tearing it down. The same is true in the tests of life. Why am I going through this? I don't see any reason for this. Don't you know God's making you stronger?
Why do I go through these things so my endurance may grow? One translation, I believe it's a Phillips translation, says, "When trials come into your life, my brothers, don't treat them as intruders but friends." Could you think of the trial you're going through? As a friend instead of an intruder, could you think of the hardship you're facing as something that God can use? Like when that unexpected bill or expense comes, and you wonder how will I ever pay this? When you have that crisis with your spouse, and you wonder how will we ever get through this?
When that perfect child of yours gets themselves into trouble, and you wonder how will we resolve this? When a loved one dies unexpectedly, and you wonder how will I survive this, know this: God is able to meet whatever comes your way because God is able. I love this phrase that God is able. Let me give you seven verses very quickly that use the word "able" in them, showing the ability of God to meet your needs. Number one.
Second Corinthians nine eight says God is able to make all grace abound toward you, so you having all sufficiency in all things may have an abundance for every good work. Also, over in Second Timothy one twelve, God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly beyond that which you could ask or think.
So, when you pray for something, why do you think God always wants to give you less? What if he wants to give you more? These people that were fed, that they get just enough to fill their stomachs, they were filled, and there were leftovers and no doggy bags. Right? They were full.
God wants you to be fed and full, and He can do more than you think He can do. Don't limit Him with your unbelief. Hebrews two eighteen says God is able to help those who are tempted. If you're being tempted right now, you might say, "I can't resist this temptation. It's too much for me." Wrong.
You can and you will if you lay hold of God's sufficiency. Don't try to do it in your own strength. Also, in Hebrews seven twenty-five, it says, "He's able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, and He will make intercession for them." So, no one is beyond the reach of God. Do you know someone you think I could never see them coming to Christ? No one's beyond the reach of God.
Keep praying for them. He's able to save to the uttermost, and He's able to save to the guttermost. I don't care how low it is or they are. And also, this He's able to keep you from stumbling. Jude one twenty four says, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.
He'll keep you from stumbling. He might say, "Well, what if I fall away? Do you want to fall away?" Well, no. Then you won't. Hang on to the Lord.
He will keep you from stumbling and present you faultless in that final day before the Father. And He's also, according to Philippians three twenty one, able to take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like His own. He's gonna. Redeem you and resurrect your body one day. Isn't that great to know God is able?
Remember that, Pastor Greg Laurie will have the second half of his message in just a moment. You know, I've heard people describe a trip to Israel as seeing the Bible actually come to life. Hey everybody, Greg Laurie, and I've been to Israel many times, and I've led a lot of tours, and I have to say that's absolutely true. Listen, when you're walking on the same stones that Jesus Himself walked on, well, that's something that's enriching to your faith. It's not just a travel experience; it actually energizes and enhances your study of the Bible.
Think of it this way: it's a vacation with a purpose. And we're going to be taking a tour of Israel, April sixth to fifteen, twenty twenty seven. You can find out more at Israel dot harvest dot org. Step right into biblical history. Join Pastor Greg for a tour of the Holy Land, April sixth through fifteenth, twenty twenty seven.
Get details at Israel dot harvest dot org.
Well, today, Pastor Greg is offering some encouraging perspective on the nature and power of God. We're learning the Lord is able. Let's continue. Nothing is too big or small and insignificant for God to respond to. You have a big problem, pray about it.
You have a small problem, it's okay, pray about it. Philippians four again says, in everything. By prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God. In everything, it doesn't say, and only the big gnarly things. In everything, if it's troubling you, it concerns God.
So you have a burden. This is really bothering me.
Okay, pray about it. Turn your worries into worship. Turn your panic into prayer. Offer it to the Lord. I love what Psalm sixty one says.
The psalmist writes, "Hear my prayer, O God. Attend to my prayer. For when my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Have you ever been overwhelmed with your problems? What do you do? You call out to the Lord, Lord.
I'm overwhelmed, so I'm turning to you. First Peter five seven reminds us: cast all your care upon him, for he cares for you. One last thing: bring your talents, abilities, gifts, and resources to Jesus. No matter how insignificant they may seem to you, God can do a lot with a little. Look at what he did with that little boy's lunch.
But you know, these people would turn on Jesus. It's true. The same people that cried. Hosanna to the Son of David on Palm Sunday would later be saying, "Crucify Him," but yet He died on the cross for them. I mean, imagine Jesus walking through the streets of Jerusalem, carrying a cross on his shoulder.
His back has been ripped open after thirty-nine lashes of a Roman, no doubt, cat of nine tails—horrible, torturous device. He's had his face punched repeatedly. He's had his beard ripped from his face. There he is carrying the cross, and the people are screaming at him. They're yelling at him.
He could have thrown that cross to the ground and said, "Forget it." He could have ascended to glory right there, but he kept carrying it. Why? The answer is given in Hebrews when it says, "For the joy that was set before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and now he is set down on the right hand of God." Wow, the joy set before him—what was that? Certainly wasn't the people surrounding him. What was the joy set before him?
What kept Jesus going? Why did he carry the cross all the way to the end and then die on that cross? And then shed his blood on that cross, and then rise from the dead. The answer is he did it for you. He did it for me.
He was thinking of you. I love the way Paul summarized it when he said, "He loved me and he gave himself for me." Yes, it's true. For God so loved the world, he gave his only begotten Son. Whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. But it's also true He loves and loved you.
Yes, the world, but you individually, personally. That's why He died on the cross because we've all sinned, we've all broken His commandments, and He knew the only way for us to be forgiven is for Him to die in our place as a substitute for us because we need a Savior. Let's say you were on a cruise ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and you were leaning over, looking at the water, and you fell over. Nobody even knew, and off the ship went. There you were bobbing around in the Atlantic Ocean.
Now, let's say you're not a very good swimmer. How long will you last? Not long. Not long at all. Let's say you're a pretty good swimmer.
You know how to tread water. Oh, maybe you'll last an hour, two hours, maybe a little longer. Let's say you're an Olympic swimmer. And you've earned gold medals. Oh, you'll last longer than the other two swimmers, but not that long, because ultimately your only hope is you need a savior.
You need someone to literally pull you out of that water and save you. That's us. Every one of us needs Jesus.
Now, some have lived more sinful lives, and but all of us have sinned, and all of us have broken His commandments. And he wants this relationship with him.
So, coming back to what I said about Jesus wanting to have a meal with you, imagine if after church today, Jesus was going to come to your house for lunch. Hey, you want to go to lunch? Yeah. Guess who's coming? Who?
Jesus. What? Yeah, Jesus. How awesome would that be? Hey, he wants to have lunch with you.
He wants to have breakfast with you, dinner with you. He wants to live your life with you and reveal his plan for your life. He wants a relationship with you, but only you can open that door of your life and ask him to come in. Again, I repeat that verse. Jesus says, "I stand at the door and I knock, and if you'll hear my voice and open the door, I will come in." So we're going to close now in prayer.
And I'm going to extend an invitation to anyone here, anybody wherever you are, wherever you're hearing this. If you need Jesus Christ today, respond to this invitation. Let's all bow our heads and pray. Father, thank you for your word to us. Thank you for your love for us in sending Jesus to die on the cross in our place.
Your only begotten Son, Lord Jesus, thank you for coming. And laying your life down for us, and now we know that you're here with us, knocking at the door of our heart, ready to forgive us of all of our sin. If we'll just call out to you, we need you so badly. I pray that your Holy Spirit will help people to realize, right now, how much they need Jesus. And we ask all of this in Jesus' name, Amen.
An important prayer from Pastor Greg Laurie. Maybe you felt the Lord speaking to you today, and you want to make a change in your relationship with God, Pastor Greg. Maybe somebody would like to do that right now. Could you help them with that? Sure, I'd love to.
I would like to just pray a prayer, and I would ask you to pray it after me. You might even pray it out loud. This is a prayer I've led a lot of people in over the years, and I've seen God change lives. There's no magic in this prayer. It's the God you're speaking.
Who will hear this prayer and answer this prayer?
So, if you want Christ to come into your life, if you want to be sure your sin is forgiven, if you want to be confident that you will go to heaven when you die, just pray this prayer, even out loud. After me, right now, pray these words, Lord Jesus. I know that I am a sinner, but I also know that you are the Savior. Because you died on the cross for my sin, and you rose again from the dead, Jesus, come into my life and forgive me of every sin I've ever committed. I choose to follow you from this moment forward.
Thank you for hearing this prayer. Thank you for answering this prayer, Lord. And I pray all of this in Jesus' name. Amen. If you just prayed that prayer and meant it, I want you to know, on the authority of Scripture, God Almighty has heard your prayer, and He will answer this prayer.
You are now a newly minted child of God.
So, congratulations! You've made the right decision, and welcome to the family of God. I want to send you a special gift because of that prayer you've just prayed. It's called the New Believer's Bible.
So the New Believers Bible is the New Testament in the New Living Translation, with hundreds of notes that I wrote that will encourage you in this commitment you are making to follow Christ. There's some other materials included as well in what we call the New Believers Growth Pack. But let me get this New Believers Bible into your hands as quickly as possible. Here's Dave to tell you more. Yeah, we'll be glad to send it all your way free of any charge if you've prayed along with Pastor.
Greg today, just ask for the New Believers Bible when you call one eight hundred eight two one thirty three hundred. You can reach us anytime twenty four seven at one eight hundred eight two one three three zero zero, or just go online to harvest dot org and click No God. You know, Pastor Greg, we hear from people all the time who tell us how these daily studies have impacted their lives.
So many have found the Lord and been encouraged through this teaching. That's right, and we hope our listeners might pray about making an investment so these studies can continue. Yeah, it's really true, Dave. You know, and even a little bit helps. You know, people need to hear the gospel so badly; they need to hear the teaching of the Word of God.
It changes. Changes everything because it changes us, and I am so passionate about it, and I am called to do it, and I am thankful for it. But I can't do it alone, so I am going to ask folks that are listening: if you think more people need to hear the gospel, if you believe more people need to hear the teaching of the Word of God, then. Preferably, consider investing in Harvest Ministries, and maybe even become a Harvest Partner, which means you're someone who stands with us every month in your faithful giving, and that opens up a lot of new opportunities for us.
So. Thanks for that. Yeah, that's right, and we really are thankful for your partnership. You can reach us any time, day or night, at one eight hundred eight two one three three hundred. That's one eight hundred eight two one three three zero zero, or just go online to harvest dot org.
Well, next time, as Pastor Greg continues his series called "The Seven Signs of Jesus," we'll see the rich insights we can glean from the account of the healing of the blind man. Join us here on a new beginning with Pastor and Bible teacher Greg Laurie.
